Official 2009-2010 Hot Stove season thread

[SoxSport]

I posted in the other thread on Beltre I thought they wanted Castillo to reduce their 2010 salaries by $6mil.

His contract is 2/12, and Lowell's is 1/12. He could be a backup at 2B and maybe SS. Also a pinch runner. Good smallball guy.

[Dipre]

I posted in the other thread on Beltre I thought they wanted Castillo to reduce their 2010 salaries by $6mil.

His contract is 2/12, and Lowell's is 1/12. He could be a backup at 2B and maybe SS. Also a pinch runner. Good smallball guy.

 

He's never played 3rd or SS in MLB, and his defense has really declined. He's a guy the Sox get and probably flip for something else.

[SoxSport]

With Beltre in the mix, Youk can play 1st and Kotchman can sit his ass down on the bench where he belongs.

 

All is right in the world.

 

 

Have to agree about Kotchman.

 

As for the world...

[The_Destroyah]

Looks like Lowell is as good as gone. No surprise here.

 

reading the fan comments on that site makes me realize how ignorant many people can be about baseball.

[BSN07]

I like this deal a lot for numerous reasons.

[jacksonianmarch]

Its dead. Lowell is still in Boston

[Ellis Burks]

I posted in the other thread on Beltre I thought they wanted Castillo to reduce their 2010 salaries by $6mil.

His contract is 2/12, and Lowell's is 1/12. He could be a backup at 2B and maybe SS. Also a pinch runner. Good smallball guy.

 

 

I don't think Castillo offers anything in terms of defense, so SS is probably out of the question, but..... I think this move would give the sox a switch hitting higher OBP guy off the bench who could spell Pedroia at 2B, and what I haven't seen anyone mention is spell Scutaro at SS by having Pedroia get a few innings in at SS with Castillo at 2B. Obviously that's not a long term solution if scutaro is injured, but a few days over the course of the year won't kill us. He would essentially be a MI bench guy but only play one position. He wouldn't be used as a LIDR, but then again, this team doesn't need that. Instead, he would be a get on base, pitch runner, type off the bench. He wouldn't offer any pop, but that's what the 4th OF could be used for (in terms of pitch hitting). If Ortiz struggles, he could also be used in a platoon at DH, especially if Beltre and Cameron struggle with lower OBPs.

 

Maybe this is just crazy talk, but to me sounds better having Castillo off the bench in this type of role then Huellet. Bench would be Tatis, Castillo, V-tek, and Hermida (or Huellet)

[BSN07]

Its dead. Lowell is still in Boston

 

What's dead?

 

Lowell probably will remain in Boston until at least ST regardless. So I don't know why you felt the need to state the obvious.

[riverside sluggers]

Its dead. Lowell is still in Boston

 

http://soxblog.projo.com/2010/01/rumors-of-a-thr.html

 

You actually think Lowell wont be traded?

 

Texas, Oakland, Seattle and Minnesota are options to trade him to.

[Dipre]

What's dead?

 

Lowell probably will remain in Boston until at least ST regardless. So I don't know why you felt the need to state the obvious.

 

Seriously, he just jacked up the annoyance level one hundred times.

[italstallianion]

Seriously' date=' he just jacked up the annoyance level one hundred times.[/quote']

 

 

So you guys have finally figured out that the "Catalyst" under Jacko's name actually meant something. You know, his penchant for starting s***?

[Dipre]

So you guys have finally figured out that the "Catalyst" under Jacko's name actually meant something. You know' date=' his penchant for starting s***?[/quote']

 

Jesus Christ.

[CoachC.]

The Red Sox have decided Jacoby Ellsbury will play left field, and Mike Cameron will man center for the 2010 season.

 

Once the Sox inked Cameron to a two-year deal worth $15.5 million this offseason, general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona said they would take a few weeks to decide who would play where. Francona recently spoke with Ellsbury and Cameron and informed them of their roles for the upcoming season.

 

"The thought being, Cameron has played center most of his career and he's got those long strides. Ells, kind of like [Rays' left fielder] Carl Crawford, has the short burst of speed and I think doing it like this, we're going to have a spectacular outfield."

 

When Francona called Ellsbury with the decision, the 26-year-old outfielder was a bit disappointed.

 

"He was worried that it was a demotion, which it is not," explained Francona. "I kind of insured him of that. I just think we're tying to put guys where we think they can make the biggest impression. Cam was great, for a guy who is 37-years-old and played center field his whole life, he said, 'Hey, I'll play anywhere.' So it was just a decision based on what's best for our team."

 

http://soxblog.projo.com/2010/01/ellsbury-will-p.html

[italstallianion]

Jesus Christ.

 

 

I figured it'd get a post of the year comment from you but damn it. I'll have to try harder.

[BSN07]

http://soxblog.projo.com/2010/01/ellsbury-will-p.html

 

Works for me.

[Dipre]

The Sox making the necessary moves to make sure they provide a run-prevention juggernaut for 2010.

[bsox0407]

I am really excited for the 2010 season with what we have now. Beltre and Cameron are good additions and Lackey is key.

 

The defense is top notch. Out left side is almost as good as our right side on the infield now. Pedroia and Youk

 

Offense will be there but not like in the past but will still drive them and in and hit in the above average tier of the league.

 

Rotation- This is going to be awesome. Lackey Lester Beckett and our top 3(not in that order) that is awesome with Buchholz and Dice-k to follow amazing. They will chew up a lot of innings. Giving our Bullpen some rest. No more Byrd Penny and Smoltz who were lucky to make 6.

 

Bullpen. Lost some but with Bard being more of a role in 2010 he will step up and be a big set up man. Plus the added rest will help a lot to.

[Emmz]

No way Beltre and Scutaro are anywhere close to Pedroia and Youk.

 

We may very well have the best right-side infield in the league offensively and defensively, left side, not so much, as Scutaro is only viable at SS, and neither are at their counterpart's level offensively.

 

As a total, though, I completely agree with you.

 

Outfield is sick, but has downgraded with the loss of Bay, but Cameron's a very good defensive upgrade, and moving Ellsbury to left was the right choice.

 

Infield is awesome, 1B, 2B and 3B could all legitimately win Gold Gloves, and offensively, all of them are very solid. I expect Beltre to at least do what Lowell did offensively, while supplying the GG defense.

 

Rotation is best in baseball, no need to compare. Lester, Beckett and Lackey are by far the most formidable front three in baseball.

 

Bullpen is still sick, with Bard, Pap, Delcarmen, etc etc etc, may be the best in baseball.

 

So yeah, there's no reason why with what is probably the best defense in baseball, the best pitching in baseball, a top 5 lineup, and consistency throughout the lineup, that we cannot contend with the Yankees for the division.

 

I am very optimistic about where this is headed.

[yankees228]

I think the Red Sox approach, since Epstein took over, has been very logical. When he had the most dominant 3-4 in baseball (Ortiz and Ramirez), he built around those two with a lineup geared towards OBP and power. Now, with Ramirez gone, and Ortiz not being the player he once was, instead of trying to replace those guys (nearly impossible), they've shifted towards more of a speed and run prevention lineup, with some power still mixed in.

 

With the Red Sox ability to adjust their approach through smart front office decisions, they'll be able to contend with the power laden Yankees (the Yankees now have the 3-4 advantage that the Red Sox used to enjoy). It should make for an enjoyable, and interesting season.

 

EDIT: But, at the same time, as a Yankee fan, I'd rather face this Red Sox team, than the Ortiz/Ramirez teams.

[Dipre]

I think the Red Sox approach, since Epstein took over, has been very logical. When he had the most dominant 3-4 in baseball (Ortiz and Ramirez), he built around those two with a lineup geared towards OBP and power. Now, with Ramirez gone, and Ortiz not being the player he once was, instead of trying to replace those guys (nearly impossible), they've shifted towards more of a speed and run prevention lineup, with some power still mixed in.

 

With the Red Sox ability to adjust their approach through smart front office decisions, they'll be able to contend with the power laden Yankees (the Yankees now have the 3-4 advantage that the Red Sox used to enjoy). It should make for an enjoyable, and interesting season.

 

EDIT: But, at the same time, as a Yankee fan, I'd rather face this Red Sox team, than the Ortiz/Ramirez teams.

 

Not the '05, '06 versions of it.

[bsox0407]

No way Beltre and Scutaro are anywhere close to Pedroia and Youk.

 

Beltre will cover a lot of ground that Scutaro may not cover in the hole giving him a lot less in the left field hole.

 

But of course they are not as good but i think with Beltre it moves them closer than before.

[Dojji]

No way Beltre and Scutaro are anywhere close to Pedroia and Youk.

 

We may very well have the best right-side infield in the league offensively and defensively, left side, not so much, as Scutaro is only viable at SS, and neither are at their counterpart's level offensively.

 

As a total, though, I completely agree with you.

 

Outfield is sick, but has downgraded with the loss of Bay, but Cameron's a very good defensive upgrade, and moving Ellsbury to left was the right choice.

 

Infield is awesome, 1B, 2B and 3B could all legitimately win Gold Gloves, and offensively, all of them are very solid. I expect Beltre to at least do what Lowell did offensively, while supplying the GG defense.

 

Rotation is best in baseball, no need to compare. Lester, Beckett and Lackey are by far the most formidable front three in baseball.

 

Bullpen is still sick, with Bard, Pap, Delcarmen, etc etc etc, may be the best in baseball.

 

So yeah, there's no reason why with what is probably the best defense in baseball, the best pitching in baseball, a top 5 lineup, and consistency throughout the lineup, that we cannot contend with the Yankees for the division.

 

I am very optimistic about where this is headed.

 

I'm with you. And the fielding should help Matsuzaka and Buchholz through their struggles too.

[yankees228]

Not the '05' date=' '06 versions of it.[/quote']

 

I'm not so sure. Obviously, after the rash of injuries in 2006, that team wasn't very competitive, but I would rather go up against the full lineups in 2005 and 2006 than this one. Now, the pitching on those teams is a different story, so I should have specified that I meant their lineups.

[JimEdHOF2009]

1. Lester

2. Beckett

3. Lackey

4. Buchholz

5. Dice-K

 

CL Papelbon

SU Bard

Okie

Ramirez

Delcarmen

Wakes

Bonser/Ramirez

 

that has to be the best staff..top to bottom..in baseball.. The best one I have seen in quite some time. When you have a #5 pitcher who has dominated on the World Level and won 18 games in the Bigs.. you know you are straight NASTY. Add to that one of the best defenses in baseball and a top 5 run scoring offense and you have the makings of a World Series contender. I am sure Theo will gauge the offense throughout the 1st half and see if we need to move on Gonzalez at the appropriate time.

 

vs. RHP

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Martinez

Youkilis

Ortiz

Drew

Scutaro

Beltre

Cameron

 

vs. LHP

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Martinez

Youkilis

Cameron

Beltre

Scutaro

Drew

Ortiz

 

Looks weird to see Papi hitting 9th but Beltre/Scutaro/and Cameron all hit LHP MUCH BETTER while Ortiz's OPS vs. LHP was .746 in 2008 and a HIDEOUS .716 last year. I wonder if Francona has the balls to put Ortiz there vs. LHP.. if he goes by the numbers...he should.

[Dipre]

Instead of hitting Papi 9th, if he sucks against LHP, how about sitting Papi and hitting Varitek and his .805 OPS vs LHP at C while playing Martinez at DH?

[example1]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/columns/story?columnist=edes_gordon&id=4803511

 

Papelbon is a nut. He's certainly a great closer and I hope he stays with the Sox but it is stunning to me that he doesn't know what has been going on with his team during the offseason and, frankly, I just don't believe it. He didn't know they got Lackey, or that they didn't resign Jason Bay?

 

This guy is assuredly going to be a FA in two seasons. He sees it as his responsibility to raise the salaries for all closers in baseball like Rivera did. This could be troublesome for the Sox in the longrun and I can already hear the panic in fans' posts about them not having a reliable closer. My problem is that Papelbon is likely to get paid more than hes worth in FA and the allure of two draft picks will probably be too much for the Sox to pass on, IMO.

[riverside sluggers]

A guy that isnt in the know about what his team has been doing, shows he just doesnt care whats going on. He will leave as a free agent after 2011 season, or a trade next offseason. I say that because this year he is expected to get close to $10 million in arbitration

[a700hitter]

A guy that isnt in the know about what his team has been doing' date=' shows he just doesnt care whats going on. He will leave as a free agent after 2011 season, or a trade next offseason. I say that because this year he is expected to get close to $10 million in arbitration[/quote']I think it is more common than you would want to believe for a player to pay no attention to player transactions in the offseason. Lots of them don't watch the playoffs or the WS if they are not involved. His job is to pitch and keep himself conditioned to pitch. Why would he give a rats ass about personnel moves that don't affect him? He has no control over it, so why would he bother himself about it. He's a player, not a fan. Fans care about these things, not players.

[Dipre]

I think it is more common than you would want to believe for a player to pay no attention to player transactions in the offseason. Lots of them don't watch the playoffs or the WS if they are not involved. His job is to pitch and keep himself conditioned to pitch. Why would he give a rats ass about personnel moves that don't affect him? He has no control over it' date=' so why would he bother himself about it. He's a player, not a fan. Fans care about these things, not players.[/quote']

 

Except players who are in it to win it. Like Albert Pujols.

[riverside sluggers]

Guys like Pedroia, Youk, Beckett, Ortiz have been commenting on the signings this offseason